How can one have axis-view?
Z axis:
Numberpad 7 for Top View
CtrlNumberpad 7for Bottom View
X axis:
 Numpad 3 for Right View.
 CtrlNumpad 3 for Left View.
Y axis:
 Numpad 1  for Front View
CtrlNumpad 1 for Back View
Toggles
Numpad 5 toggles between Orthographic and Perspective view.
For best results, go into File -&gt; User Preferences..., &quot;Interface&quot; tab, and make sure there is a checkmark on on Auto Perspective.  If that isn't set, you may end up with a perspective (instead of orthographic) view along the selected axis.
If your view isn't centered on the selected object, press the Numpad . (period) key.
More information on the manual page: Editors » 3D Viewport » Navigating » Navigation
Axis Gizmo
In Blender 2.80 and higher, an axis gizmo can be clicked to get Orthographic views: